Stanton gets cortisone shot; Frazier to IL
ANAHEIM -- When the Yankees' West Coast swing began on Monday evening, Clint Frazier stood in front of his locker and said that the injured list was "too crowded" for him to stop playing, just hours after manager Aaron Boone offered an encouraging report on Giancarlo Stanton's progress.
That landscape has changed, and not for the better. Stanton is now dealing with a new injury to his left shoulder that required a cortisone injection, and an MRI taken on Frazier's left ankle showed what manager Aaron Boone described as a "small tear" that will necessitate an injured list stint.
"The good news is we feel like it'll be short and it's another opportunity for somebody else," Boone said after the Yankees' 6-5 victory over the Angels on Wednesday. "We've got a lot of good players in there who are capable of getting this thing done, so we'll keep on doing it."
Frazier declined to speak to reporters, but Boone said that the Yankees believe Frazier could return in 10-14 days.
Right-hander Joseph Harvey was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday to replace Frazier, who is batting .324/.342/.632 with six homers and 17 RBIs in 18 games. The Yankees also optioned right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.
"We don't think it's a long thing," Boone said. "Fraz very much feels like he can play or is close to playing, but the MRI revealed enough in there … of some partial tear and it's going to cost him the 10 days."
Frazier injured the ankle on a 12th-inning slide in Monday's 4-3, 14-inning win over the Angels.
As for Stanton, Boone said that the slugger received an injection on Monday to address "some residual stuff going on with his shoulder," which apparently pre-dated the biceps strain that Stanton sustained on March 31.
"He's had some shoulder stuff in the past," Boone said. "I don't know if it's a little bit of a result of that. We figured now while he's down coming from this, let's just make sure we treat this the best we can so it doesn't become a lingering issue if we can help it."
Stanton missed time with a left shoulder injury while with the Marlins in 2013. Boone said that Stanton will remain in Southern California to work with trainers that he is familiar with, then rejoin the team for their upcoming series against the D-backs in Arizona.
"We've got to let the shot settle, and that's probably another day or two of no swinging," Boone said. "Then he should be able ramp up pretty quick and start swinging when we get to Arizona."
Meanwhile, in Florida …
The Yankees are receiving positive reports from their player development complex in Tampa, Fla., where Miguel Andújar, Didi Gregorius, Aaron Hicks and Troy Tulowitzki are all progressing from their respective injuries.
With Stanton's apparent setback, Tulowitzki could be the closest to rejoining the big league squad, having faced live pitching and poised to play in Minor League rehab games. Andujar faced live pitching on Wednesday and could play third base in an extended spring game this weekend, according to Boone.
Hicks has been performing outfield drills, throwing to bases, taking on-field batting practice and running. He could soon advance to hitting against live pitching. Gregorius has hit all of his checkpoints as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, most recently throwing from shortstop as he takes ground balls and taking on-field batting practice.
This date in Yankees history
April 24, 1917: George Mogridge pitched the first no-hitter in franchise history, defeating the Red Sox in a 2-1 contest at Fenway Park. Mogridge permitted three walks and struck out three in the effort. The Yankees would not have another lefty throw a no-hitter until Dave Righetti on July 4, 1983, also against Boston.